Abstract

Background: Given the high prevalence of diabetes and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and conflicting reports about bone mineral density in type 2 diabetes, this study was conducted to compare bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this case-control study, 64 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes and 64 healthy postmenopausal women (matched for age) were selected. Then lumbar spine and femoral bone mineral density measurements were performed using DXA. Data were analysed by SPSS-14 software using t-test and chi-square tests.

Results: No statistically significant difference was reported between both groups in terms of body mass index, parity, menopausal age, calcium intake, serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. Also, postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes had a slightly higher mean of bone mineral density in lumbar and femoral regions than non-diabetic women. But this difference was not statistically significant (P≥0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, type 2 diabetes mellitus is not a risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.